Casey McGarr

Casey McGarr serves as a Professor in the Department of Art within the College of Humanities, Social Sciences and Arts at East Texas A&M University. He teaches undergraduate courses including Typography, Design 1, and Letterpress Printing, and instructs MFA graduate courses covering Pedagogy and Design Education, Design Teaching Environment, and Thesis Exhibition. McGarr has held academic positions at East Texas A&M University since 2012, progressing from Assistant Professor to Associate Professor (2012-2022) and achieving full Professor rank in 2022.

His educational background:

• M.F.A. in Visual Communications, East Texas A&M University, 2010
• B.F.A. in Graphic Design, Texas Tech University, 1989

McGarr's research and professional practice centers on Visual Communication and traditional print media. He actively bridges academia and industry through his ownership of "Inky Lips Letterpress," where he produces custom printed materials using Vandercook proof presses and an extensive collection of metal and wood type. His innovation includes CNC-routed wood fonts that elevate letterpress craftsmanship, while his design education expertise extends to international lecturing, notably on "Brainstorming and Ideation" at Tianjin University of Technology (2016).

Academic leadership and professional engagement:

• Co-directed 2016 study abroad program to Tianjin University of Technology for ten students
• President of Dallas Society of Visual Communications (2000-2001)
• Architect of Arkansas State University's graphic design curriculum

His letterpress studio functions as both a professional production space and community workshop hub, featuring ten type cabinets housing hundreds of metal fonts and 50 wood fonts.